By Kevin Tafara
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has called for concerted action against intimate partner violence, urging churches, faith leaders and communities to promote safe relationships and support survivors of abuse.
In a statement issued on 10 October 2026 in support of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission’s (ZGC) 90 Days Campaign Against Intimate Partner Violence, the ZCC said the initiative was a timely call to confront violence in intimate relationships and promote safer homes and communities.
The campaign runs from October to December 2026 and culminates in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The church body expressed concern over the continued cases of intimate partner violence in Zimbabwe, including incidents that result in serious injuries and loss of life.
“Police records show that domestic violence remains a national concern, and national survey data indicate that about 40 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner,” the ZCC said.
The organisation said intimate partner violence, which includes physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, violates human dignity and contradicts Christian teachings on love and respect.
“As ZCC, we affirm that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) and therefore deserves dignity, respect, safety and love,” the statement said.
The ZCC also condemned the misuse of religious teachings and cultural practices to justify abuse, silence survivors or encourage victims to endure violence in the name of preserving marriages and family unity.
“We therefore reject the misuse of scripture and culture to justify abuse, demand silence from survivors or encourage endurance of violence in the name of preserving marriage and family unity,” the church body said.
It called on churches and faith communities to challenge harmful gender norms and promote relationships based on mutual respect, equality and peace.
The ZCC urged its member churches, faith leaders, women, men and young people across the country to speak out against intimate partner violence, including religious and cultural interpretations that normalise abuse.
It further called for survivors to be supported and connected to appropriate services, stressing that churches should provide safe spaces where victims can be heard, believed and assisted.
The organisation also encouraged men to challenge harmful forms of masculinity and promote non-violent, caring and accountable relationships.
According to the ZCC, faith communities should translate their teachings into practical action through education, dialogue, pastoral care and community mobilisation.
“The Church cannot remain silent where violence persists, nor preach love without confronting practices that are denying others their humanity,” the statement said.
The ZCC commended the Zimbabwe Gender Commission for initiating the campaign and reaffirmed its commitment to working with national institutions, civil society organisations and communities to end violence.
The organisation said it remained committed to building a Zimbabwe where everyone can live free from violence and fear.